Pangos Best of SoCal Fall Showcase: Top 2021 Performers (Part I)

Garden Grove, Ca. — The Pangos Best of SoCal Fall Showcase at Santiago High brought together many of the area’s top prospects for a class vs. class style event.

Here are some top performers from the sophomore class Top 20 game:

KJ Simpson, Chaminade

It was refreshing to see a young player bring such a competitive attitude to the defensive end of the floor in a showcase setting. Simpson, a burly and tough 6-foot-2 guard, was picking up the opposing ball-handler 94-feet, applying immense on-ball pressure and making them turn multiple times before crossing half court. His intense on-ball defense resulted in numerous turnovers and easy transition buckets for his team.

Xavier Williams, Ribet Academy

Williams is a quick and bouncy athlete who thrives in an up-and-down setting. The 6-foot-3 wing is quick off the floor, has good body control when finishing, and has impressive hang time which allows him to contort and finish over length around the rim. Williams has an aggressive scoring mindset on the break and is difficult to stop when he gets downhill.

JSerra forward Paxton Burzell had his scoring versatility on display at the Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase.

AJ Burgin, San Diego

Burgin continues to grow not only physically, but also in his overall floor game. The 6-foot-2 guard is one of the better set shooters from 3-point range in his class, but made it a point to put the ball on the deck and show he can finish at the cup, as well. Burgin had a handful of strong drives and finishes at the front of the rim.

Paxton Burzell, JSerra

Burzell has the look of a kid who will end up being a late-bloomer and very good basketball player when his high school career is over. The rangy 6-foot-7 lefty wing doesn’t look the part with his floppy, messy hair and wiry frame, but he has a high basketball IQ and versatility on the offensive end. Burzell can stretch the floor to the 3-point line or expose a height advantage by scoring in the paint with his back to the basket.

Scotty Washington, St. John Bosco

Washington has all the size, length and feel you’d want in a potential Division I college recruit and he’s adding a more consistent jump shot to his arsenal. The 6-foot-3 wing has always been a guy who can get to the rim off the bounce and finish with finesse, but his biggest weakness was his perimeter shooting. Washington showed improvement with his shooting ability from 3-point range on Saturday.

Jahmai Mashack, Etiwanda

Mashack is one of the more intriguing long-term prospects in Southern California because of his combination of size, length, basketball IQ and defensive versatility. The 6-foot-3 wing will check anybody with no questions asked and make their life difficult during that time. The more Mashack plays in events like this, the more comfortable he’s becoming as a ball-handler and scorer.